The best camping near Ottawa National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Ottawa National Forest adventure.

86% (7 reviews)
86% (7 reviews)

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Ottawa National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Ottawa National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Ottawa National Forest

99%
(49)

Superior Lake Effect

1 site · RV, Tent8 acres · Ontonagon, MI
Happy almost fall campers! So many views and so little time here in the western Upper Peninsula. Fall colors expected to peak first weekend October (as of 9/30/24)! Check out Porkies State Park chairlift rides 10/5, 6 and 12. 10 to 430 ET each day, 10$ plus recreational passport. Copper Peak also offers amazing views of fall colors. Open daily from 930-430 CT, check out copperpeak.net for pricing and details. Enjoy 400 ft of Lake Superior private sandy beach frontage with access to more than 1.5 miles., Beautiful sunsets, and a chance to witness the northern lights, in your private dark sky park; bring your telescope. Search for agates and yooper rocks; bring a black light. Situated on 8 acres of old growth forest, your short walk to the lake is through a park like preserve. Keep your eyes open for wildlife as you cross the boardwalk to the beach. Bring your kayak and or paddle board for a unique experience. A boat launch 1/2 mile away can easily accommodate 16 ft motor boats if fishing is of interest. Enjoy waterfalls? Bond, Agate, Bonanza, and O Kun-de kun and many more are all within an hour. ATV trails are abundant as well and all county roads allow both ATV and snowmobile traffic, with appropriate permits.
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$150
 / night
96%
(71)

Gentle Breeze Camping

3 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Houghton, MI
This is a private campground on Sandy Lake. Very quiet, private dock, sandy beach, great for fishing, kayaking or just relaxing. ATV's by approval, there will be no load ATV's, no running ATV's other then entry and exit, if there are complaints from other campers you will be asked to leave New this year is a sauna with shower, this is an electric sauna , use will be by donation. Sauna is not part of base fee, additional cost for sauna Learn more about this land: Open fields and woods with lake access.   There is a private dock with swimming, great for kayaking There is a near by public fishing site, 3 miles from General store from  other lakes nearby with public access as well. We look forward to hosting you! We are located in Twin Lakes Michigan , 2.3miles south of M-26 on 29839  Pike Lake Road Very private setting There is no electricity on site  Campers responsible for garbage removal  There is now a outhouse toilet on site Enjoy the relief! There is a limit of 2 dogs per site, Dogs to be on leash if not friendly to people or other dogs
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$25
 / night
89%
(22)

Presque Isle Campground

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Presque Isle, WI
Our quiet, secluded campground is located on beautiful Stateline Lake deep within the northwoods in Presque Isle (A.K.A. Wisconsin's Last Wilderness) We offer premier full hookup RV campsites and tent campsites as well as cabin lodging and RV lodging - all right on the lake. Amenities include: - Campers and Cabins available to rent - Docks and private boat slips available to rent - Full hookups available - 30 Amp electrical with 50 Amp available on select sites - Women's and Men's Showers - Two sets of women's and men's restrooms - Boat landing access included - For non-guests, boat landing day access can be purchased separately - Wilderness - Wildlife - Fishing - Privacy - Seclusion - Peace and quiet The campground has been in operation for more than 50 years and is in the forest on a peninsula between two lakes with plenty of shade. Fish, boat, waterski, relax by the fire, and enjoy nature and the spectacular wildlife in this gorgeous natural paradise. Address: 8458 Balsam Dr, Presque Isle, WI 54557 Innumerable beautiful hiking and nature walks surround our site, including Wisconsin's treasured Van Vliet 400 acre Hemlock Preserve - one of the largest old-growth Hemlock forests in the country. We are just one hour south of the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park. Docking is included for campers and available for non-campers at a daily rate. Our site is situated on one of the most prized lakes for muskie fishing. Enjoy sunny days swimming at the lake beach, activities and crafts for children with our camp hosts, and community campfire song night.
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$49.50
 / night
100%
(1)

'Driftwood' Year Round Yurt + Sauna

2 sites · Lodging15 acres · Boulder Junction, WI
Immerse yourself in the peaceful woods of Northern Wisconsin while staying in one of our cozy yurts. These canvas wrapped circular dwellings are fully insulated and equipped with central heat, electricity, and plumbing. Complete with a living space, bedrooms, a full kitchen and bathroom. These luxury Yurts provide our guests with the opportunity to escape North north at all times of the year, while offering all the amenities of home. Woods, waters and trails surround the yurt village for unlimited outdoor activities. Additionally, the Sauna House offers the perfect way to wind down after a full day. We understand the dog is part of the family, and we are pet friendly. Conveniently located 10 minutes north of Minocqua on HWY 51 right on the snowmobile trail, and steps away from the Northern Highland State Forest. Enjoy free deliveries to the Yurt property through Coontail Sports. Kayak, mountain bike rentals, and more! Let us help curate your perfect vacation in the Northwoods.
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$207
 / night
95%
(86)

Sunshine Motel Rustic Camping

3 sites · Tents60 acres · Ontonagon, MI
Experience True Off-Grid Camping at Sunshine Motel & Cabins Has nature been calling your name? Escape to the great outdoors and test your love for adventure at Sunshine Motel & Cabins' rustic tent campground in Ontonagon, Michigan. Tucked away behind our cozy cabins and up a small hill, you'll find three secluded dry tent campsites, offering a truly off-grid experience for nature lovers and eco-tourists. 🌲 Rustic Camping – No Frills, Just Nature If you're looking for a primitive camping experience, this is it! These sites are completely off-grid—no electricity, no running water, and no restroom facilities. Just you, your tent, and the great outdoors. Toilet paper is available if needed, but be prepared to rough it! 🚶 Walk-Up Only – No Vehicle Camping To preserve the natural beauty of our property, all campsites are walk-up only, with designated parking in a separate area. Vehicle camping is not permitted. 🌿 Perfect for Eco-Tourists & Outdoor Enthusiasts Designed for those who truly want to disconnect, our primitive tent sites are ideal for adventurers seeking an authentic UP wilderness experience. 🔹 No utilities – 100% off-grid 🔹 Walk-in tent sites for a quiet, nature-immersed stay 🔹 Located near Ontonagon’s top outdoor attractions Enjoy the perfect rustic camping experience with our well-equipped campsites! Each site features a private fire pit, while a communal fire pit is also available for shared gatherings under the stars. Private picnic tables and communal seating areas provide the perfect spot for meals and relaxation. 🏕️ Campsite Features: ✅ Fire pits at every campsite + a communal fire pit ✅ Private picnic tables at each site + shared tables around the grounds ✅ BBQ grills for cooking up your favorite meals ✅ Trash cans at every site for convenience 🌊 Family-Friendly Camping with Private Beach Access Our spacious campsites offer plenty of room to spread out, and there’s even a yard where kids can play! Plus, campers enjoy exclusive access to our private beach, perfect for unwinding by the water. 🌿 Explore the Area – Discover nearby hiking trails, lakes, and rivers, or take a short trip into town for local shopping and attractions. Come experience everything Sunshine Motel & Cabins has to offer—adventure, relaxation,
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$25
 / night
96%
(26)

Da Sugarbush on Stanley Lake

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents9 acres · Iron River, MI
You'll be camping on our Stanley lake sugarbush property. Lakefront sites have power and water - are located in a grassy clearing on the shores of Stanley Lake. ABSOLUTELY NO CHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON PROPERTY!! Primitive sites are amongst the maple trees of our sugarbush operation, within walking distance of the lake. These sites do not yet have water or electricity, but water is available from spigots at the lake clearing. Stanley lake is just shy of 400 acres, known for walleye and bass. It is an all sports lake with no limited wake hours. Feel free to roam our woods - you will notice the blue maple lines come to an end at our east and west property lines, as well as a no trespassing sign on the lake clearing to the west line. Deer here are plentiful, and you can often get them to eat from your hand, provided you have apples. Iron county has a tremendous ORV/snowmobile trail system. You can drive your machine right from our property to the trails. There are two golf courses in the area, as well as a vast bicycle trail system. Ski Brule ski hills and sporting clay operation are a few miles from the property. Countless acres of public land for recreation!
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$40
 / night
98%
(28)

Constellation Farmstead

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Pelkie, MI
Learn more about this land: Welcome to Constellation Farmstead. We are a multi-faceted agritourism destination combining farming, homesteading and leisure. We are located in a quaint and quiet area of the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We currently have camping space available both for tents and camping with an RV. For animals we currently have 3 pigs, 12 chickens, a handful of ducks and 8 of the softest rabbits you will ever meet. We also have a husky named Lakota who is always on leash with us as well as 2 cats, one of which spends much of his time outside. Our hiking trails are open, and markers are being added. You are welcome to hike through our property on your own or we are always happy to join. Our disc golf course will be open with t pads and baskets once the ground is firm enough to get everything set up! In the years to come, our beautiful barn will become a venue for weddings as well as a suite and rentable rooms where you can stay. We’ll also be continuing to grow our family farm, orchard and of course our growing array of animals for you to visit. For guests we also have a community fire pit in our yard and host fires most nights that we have guests. We also have a sauna that we heat up many nights so feel to let us know if these things interest you.
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$25
 / night

The best camping near Ottawa National Forest guide

Overview

About

Everyday is the best day ever at Ottowa National Forest, a great place for seasoned adventurers and families alike. The Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness will please advance kayakers and canoers, while those with little ones can head to Lake Ottawa Recreation area for forested trails, picnicking spots and a swimming beach. Spy everything from wildflowers to black bears on the trails, and have that camera ready incase you see somethin' good. And in the cooler months? Leaf peeping and snowshoeing will make you glad you came to Ottawa when the crowds die down post summer. There’s something special about this place, experience Ottawa firsthand and reconnect with the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

You cannot camp anywhere in the Ottawa National Forest, but there are designated campgrounds and dispersed camping areas available. The Ottawa National Forest, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offers a variety of camping options, including developed campgrounds with amenities and dispersed camping in more remote areas.

Designated campgrounds include those with facilities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms, such as Lake Ottawa Campground and Black River Harbor Campground.

For those seeking a more primitive experience, dispersed camping is allowed in certain areas of the forest. Dispersed camping means you can set up camp outside of designated campgrounds, but there are still some regulations to follow. You must camp at least 200 feet away from lakes, streams, and trails, and you must not camp within 1/4 mile of developed recreation sites. It's always a good idea to check with the Ottawa National Forest for any specific regulations or restrictions before heading out.

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